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Winter Fishing: Nice to be on the ice

Conditions are nice

Rivers and lakes throughout North Dakota have iced over, giving anglers a chance to get out. Ice fishing in North Dakota runs the gamut, from a bucket on the ice to elaborate icehouse setups that include televised football and tasty food. Others prefer the relatively new darkhouse spearfishing. Regardless of your technique, ice fishing provides hours of recreation. Be sure you check ice conditions before heading out. Temperatures differences and other conditions will affect ice. Click here for fishing regulations.

Some of the best places to ice fish in North Dakota:

Devils Lake – Famous for ice fishing and great services. The state’s largest natural body of water has roughly quadrupled in size since 1993 and fish populations have kept up. Devils Lake is famous for abundant jumbo yellow perch as well as quality northern pike, walleye and white bass in the winter.

Lake Metigoshe – In the densely forested Turtle Mountains of North Dakota, straddling the U.S.-Canadian border, Lake Metigoshe is one of the cleanest natural freshwater lakes in North Dakota. Lake Metigoshe and its many surrounding small bodies of water are perfect for chasing pike and walleye. The real reasons to add Meitgoshe to your list in the winter are monster bluegills and quality crappie.

Lake Sakakawea – Overall walleye abundance is the highest documented in the last 45 years due to several strong year-classes in recent years. Anglers will find excellent numbers of 15- to 20-inch walleye and exceptional pike fishing that is only expected to get better because of a maturing population with good average size. Pike exceeding 15 pounds are expected to be more common in 2020 and beyond. Sakakawea is a great place for darkhouse spearfishing because of its healthy pike.

Lake Darling – Just northwest of Minot, Lake Darling rests along the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge. Lake Darling is home to strong northern pike, walleye and yellow perch populations.

Lake Audubon – Good numbers of walleye and an excellent smallmouth bass fishery. Anglers should see good numbers of 14- to 20-inch walleye. Some large pike are present. Audubon has easy access being adjacent to Highway 83.

Robinson Area – Upper Kidder County lakes like Jasper near Robinson and Josephine by Tuttle have abundant walleye with the occasional fish over 25 inches, Woodhouse Lake northeast of Wing has abundant large walleye, some topping 28 inches. Helen Lake north of Tuttle is an excellent pike fishery.

Valley City Area – Ashtabula has been fairly consistent with good numbers of walleye and pike. A hidden gem may be some of the smaller lakes around Valley City in Barnes County. Moon and St. Mary’s lakes have abundant walleye and perch populations.